I had the pleasure of playing golf this weekend with WDZH Detroit’s Ian “Slacker” Richards and Radio One SVP of Programming Content Jay Stevens. It was a tough, well-fought match, but in the end, I walked away the victor. Drive for show, putt for dough. Stay tuned for the rematch [Editor’s Note: Let the radio guys win.]

Congrats go out to Kage at KQKS Denver for yet another sold-out, well-run summer show! The pics looked amazing, and this has really become one of THE summer shows to attend. Talk about coming out of the box strong.

Over at Republic, The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” (XO) exploded on the scene this week to a tremendous response. It debuts at #25, up 1050 spins, at Rhythm, and at #21, up nearly 3800, at Top 40! While he seems to be an overnight success, he’s actually built his loyal fanbase over a number of years of touring in and around his Canadian home base. He’s actually been performing to sold-out shows for years. “Earned It” may have put him on the map, but “Can’t Feel My Face” is going to make him one of the break-out artists of the year. Gary Spangler, Davey Dee (pictured right with The Weeknd) and Stef Cole also have Nicki Minaj’s “The Night Is Still Young” (YMCMB) at #14, gaining 150 spins, Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar’s “Bad Blood” (Big Machine) at #17, increasing 400 spins, and Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas’ “Good Thing” (Empire) up 340 spins, moving #23-19. Tove Lo’s “Talking Body” (Island) is at #29. They impact Natalie La Rose f/Fetty Wap’s “Around the World” this week; the new track’s already #58 on the chart, and is expected to have a great initial week.


Lil Wayne had the Twitter world abuzz this weekend, when he announced that he’d struck a deal with his “idol,” Jay Z, while at KMEL San Francisco. Many fans thought he was referring to moving to Roc Nation, but according to his manager, it was in reference to his deal with Tidal.

Epic’s Sujit Kundu continues to do a bang-up job with Jidenna’s “Classic Man” (Wondaland), as it moves #10-8, gaining an additional 330 spins. Due to its success, they’ve impacted the record at Top 40 and are looking to have a successful run there. Fifth Harmony f/Kid Ink’s “Worth It” (SYCO) is at #20, up 135 spins, and Tink’s “Million” just misses the chart at #42 this week. Janelle Monae & Jidenna’s “Yoga” (Wondaland) sits at #48, up 40 spins; it continues to build and develop at Urban. They’re impacting Travi$ Scott f/Future & 2 Chainz’s “3500.”

At Def Jam, Rick Sackhiem, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness have Rihanna’s “BBHMM” (Roc Nation) at #6 this week, as she inches her way into the Top 5. Big Sean’s “One Man Can Change the World” (G.O.O.D.) moves to #48, tacking on another 160 spins. Make sure to spend more time with Jeremih f/J. Cole’s “Planes.” This record was out a few months ago, but never really got the traction it deserved. It’s continued to develop at both Urban and Rhythm, and is now at #57, up 85 spins this week; it’s currently #18 at Urban. And Elijah Blake’s “I Just Wanna” is just getting started.


RCA’s John Strazza, Inca and Lori G take Kid Ink f/Dej Loaf’s “Be Real” into the Top 10 this week; it’s at #9, up 290 spins. Tinashe’s “All Hands on Deck” is at #12 and gains 90 spins; the game plan is to take her into the Top 10 this week. Pitbull f/Chris Brown’s “Fun” (Mr.305/Polo Grounds) is at #18 and adds 45 spins. Miguel f/Wale’s “Coffee” just misses charting, but looks to debut this coming week. And Mark Ronson f/Mystikal’s “Feel Right” climbs to #55, adding an additional 130 spins.

Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman and James White take OMI’s “Cheerleader” (Ultra) into the Top 15 this week, and once again, it posts over 450 new spins. Right behind that is J. Cole’s “Wet Dreamz” (Roc Nation), which was up 40 spins. Samantha J’s “League of My Own” is off to a very solid start and up 120 spins; it looks to be just two short weeks away from charting. They’re impacting Dej Loaf f/Lil Wayne’s “Me U & Henne$$y” this week.

Largest increases:
1) The Weeknd “Can’t Feel My Face” XO/Republic
2) Silento “Watch Me” Bolo Productions/Capitol
3) OMI “Cheerleader” Ultra/Columbia
4) Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” Big Machine/Republic
5) Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas “Good Thing” Empire/Republic

The Pulse:
1) The Weeknd “Can’t Feel My Face” XO/Republic
2) Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas “Good Thing” Empire/Republic
3) Kaya Stewart “In Love With a Boy” Warner Bros.
4) Tink “Million” Mosley/Epic
5) Miguel f/Wale “Coffee” RCA